Manpower Minister: Old-age protection for informal workers must be a priority
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Manpower Minister Yassierli has said that old-age protection for informal workers, who still underpin the national economy, must be a primary concern for the government and other stakeholders.
“This is a concern for us, a concern for all of us — how they can still obtain social protection, because every citizen has the right to social protection,” the Minister said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.
Yassierli further revealed that one of the government’s current challenges is a workforce structure still dominated by informal sector workers.
He said that of the roughly 155 million workers in Indonesia, around 60 per cent work in the informal sector.
According to him, the government is committed to ensuring these workers are not only productive during their working years but can also live independently and prosperously as they enter old age.
Yassierli also reminded that Indonesia is currently still in the midst of its demographic bonus and will gradually face the challenge of an ageing population.
This condition needs to be anticipated by ensuring people have adequate preparedness and protection when entering their post-working years.
“We want them to remain able to contribute, to not be dependent on productive workers,” he added.
Therefore, Yassierli believes cross-sector collaboration is essential to ensure that people who have entered their post-working years can still live decently and independently.
One such initiative is that of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) through the launch of Pension Fund Month 2026, which he considers part of strengthening social protection and improving community welfare in old age.
“The initiative is seen as aligned with the government’s efforts to broaden social protection coverage for the entire workforce in Indonesia,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, Chair of the OJK Board of Commissioners Friderica Widyasari Dewi said the launch of Pension Fund Month is an important moment to raise public awareness and understanding of the importance of preparing pension funds from the moment one enters the world of work.
According to OJK data, Indonesia’s pension fund literacy index has only reached 22 per cent.
This figure indicates that public understanding still needs to improve regarding the importance of preparing financial security for old age.
“It is homework for OJK, the House of Representatives (DPR), the government, pension fund associations, and pension fund companies to help the public understand that pension funds must be prepared, even from the time a person starts working independently or at their workplace,” said Friderica.